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Democrats from across Massachusetts gathered Saturday for their annual convention in Lowell to set a party platform, yet the real focus was on potential candidates for next year's governor's race.

The list of declared Democratic candidates for governor of Massachusetts grew by one early Saturday when State Treasurer Steven Grossman announced he would run. Grossman said a top priority would be paid family leave for those forced out of work by sickness suffered by to themselves or a relative. He called it a moral and economic responsibility.

Meanwhile, supporters of Attorney General Martha Coakley turned out in force with signs outside the Tsongas Arena, where the convention was held. But she said she's not ready to decide whether to run for governor.

The convention was expected to draw more than 3,000 of the party faithful, whose support could provide the backbone of a winning campaign next year.

The race is wide open as Gov. Deval Patrick and former Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray have both said they are not in the running. Patrick has served two terms and won't seek a third. Murray resigned earlier this year to take a job as head of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

On the Republican side, Charles Baker, former chief executive of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and the 2010 Republican nominee for governor, is weighing another run for the job.

Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown has also been mentioned as a possible GOP candidate.

The jockeying takes place 14 months before the party primaries for governor will be held.

Grossman, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, leaves the starting blocks with a clear early fundraising advantage, having reported $565,158 in his political account at the end of June. He raised more than $139,000 in June alone.

Recent polls suggest that Coakley remains popular with Massachusetts voters despite her upset loss to Brown in the 2010 special election to succeed the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Coakley has also been building up her campaign account. As of the end of June, she had a balance of nearly $256,000.

Democrats are feeling enthused following U.S. Rep. Edward Markey's victory over Republican Gabriel Gomez in last month's special U.S. Senate election to fill the seat left vacant by John Kerry's resignation.

But Democrats are also keenly aware of the 16 years that Republicans controlled the governor's office before Patrick's election in 2006.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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